BIOGRAPHY
Based in southwestern Virginia on occupied Tutelo and Monacan land, Michael Borowski is an artist and educator whose work examines how our environments are constructed — physically, politically, and culturally. Working across photography, emerging technologies, and installation, Borowski reveals the underlying designs that shape belonging, visibility, and power in the built environment.
His research-based practice investigates domestic space, urban environments, and landscape, revealing the social priorities and cultural norms embedded in architecture and technology. A Graham Foundation grantee and VMFA Fellow, Borowski has exhibited internationally at venues including the Museum of Photography in Berlin, the New Mexico Museum of Art, and the Czong Institute of Contemporary Art in South Korea.
Currently an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech and Chair of the Studio Art program, Borowski holds an MFA from the University of Michigan and a BFA from the University of New Mexico. Through his practice, Borowski recovers queer and marginalized narratives while envisioning more collective, reciprocal spaces of belonging.
CURRICULUM VITAE
MICHAEL BOROWSKI
b. 1981. Living and working in Blacksburg, VA
EDUCATION
2011
Master of Fine Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
2003
Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
SOLO & TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2022
Azurest, Box 13 Artspace, Houston, TX
Trace Elements (w/ Amanda Lechner), Blacksburg Museum, Blacksburg, VA
2019
Home Reports, SRO Gallery, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
2017
Queer Constructs, Gallery 201, Lynchburg Diversity Center, Lynchburg, VA.
2016
Home Reports, Ploch Gallery, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield, WI.
Home Reports, Volume One Gallery, Eau Claire, WI.
2012
Alcoves 12.6, curator: Merry Scully, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM.
2011
Make/Shift, Slusser Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI.
2010
Restless Dwellings, Warren Robbins Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI.
2006
The Sand in My Pockets Is the Dust in Our Lungs, Harwood Art Center, Albuquerque, NM.
2003
Solitude Is Not a Measured Space, John Sommers Gallery, Albuquerque, NM.
2002
Common Spaces (w/ Arlene Becker) curator: Melody Mock, Inpost Art Space, Albuquerque, NM.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025
Party Line, Greenville Center for Creative Arts, Greenville, SC
Surrender to the Dreamers, Museum of Photography, Berlin, Germany
Trained Histories, Aurora PhotoCenter, Indianapolis, IN
Elder, Fenix Arts, Fayetteville, AK
2024
Porous, ICOSA, Austin, TX
There’s No Place Like Home: Queer Placemaking in the American South, Illges Gallery, Columbus State University, Columbus, GA
Analogue (Digital), The Glasgow Gallery of Photography, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Made in VA Biennial, The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, VA
After the Dust Settles, Echo Contemporary, Atlanta, GA
Pink Tide, Bureau of Queer Art vol. 4, Dama Gallery, Ventura, CA
The Karman Line, Tiger Strikes Asteroid – Greenville, Greenville, SC
2023
VMFA Futures, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
Revelation, AnalogueNOW Festival, Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Martin-Luther-Genezareth, Berlin, Germany
The Skin I’m In, KCKCC Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Machine Vision, Candela Gallery, Richmond, VA
2023 SPE International Combined Caucus Exhibition, Rotunda Gallery, Denver, CO
2022
6th Annual Alt Process Photography Exhibition, The Image Flow, San Anselmo, CA
Future Bodies, Moss Art Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
The Skin I’m In, Slocumb Galleries, Eastern Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN; Revolve Gallery, Asheville, NC
Unbound 11, Candela Gallery, Richmond, VA
Growing Up Queer in the South, Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville, NC
Rural Queer, Richardson Family Art Gallery, Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC
Positive/Negative 37th National Juried Art Exhibition, Slocumb Galleries, Johnson City, TN
2021
Unbound 10, Candela Gallery, Richmond, VA (catalog)
ArtFields 2021, Jones-Carter Gallery, Lake City, SC
2020 National Competition, juror: Kris Graves, Soho Photo Gallery, New York City, NY
Existence: Text + Image, juror: Efrem Zelony-Mindell, Seigfred Gallery, Ohio University, Athens, OH
2020
Making Strange, Praxis Gallery, Minneapolis, MN.
Reality and Art, juror: Danielle Andress, ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL
Perspectives, Czong Institute for Contemporary Art, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
8th Annual International Combined Caucus Exhibition, juror: Zackary Drucker, Society for Photographic Education (SPE), Box 13 Artspace, Houston, TX (catalog)
2019
Captured Light, juror: Nate Larson, BlackRock Center for the Arts, Germantown, MD
Artists in Conversation, ADW Art Gallery, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, IL
Truth as a Contested Concept, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Contrive, d’Art Center, Norfolk, VA
Land/Scape, Specto Art Center, Bridgewater, VA
7th Annual International Combined Caucus Exhibition, juror: Christina Vassallo, SPE, Cleveland Convention Gallery, Cleveland, OH (catalog)
SOVA Faculty Triennial Exhibition, Moss Art Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
2018
12 Openings, Compound Yellow, Oak Park, IL
Lies, juror: Richard McCabe, Colorado Photographic Art Center, Denver, CO
Contemporary Photography 2008-18, juror: Kristen Gaylor, Site: Brooklyn Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
The Southern Disposition, Indie Grit Labs, Columbia, SC
American Splendour, curator: Ruben Natal-San Miguel, jurors: Jon Feinstein, David Rosenberg, Hannah Frieser, Loni Efron, & Ruben Natal-San Miguel, Ilon Gallery, New York, NY
GoggleWorks 12th Annual Juried Exhibition, juror: Thora Jacobsen, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA
6th Annual International Combined Caucus Exhibition, juror: Anthony Goicolea, SPE, Hamilton & Aaronson Galleries, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA (catalog)
7th Annual National Juried Exhibition, juror: Bill May, Charles W. and Norma C. Carroll Gallery, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
2017
Landscape, Grand and Personal, juror: Eliot Dudik, SE Center for Photography, Greenville, SC (catalog)
Range, curator: Andrew Nordin, Edward J and Helen Jane Morrison Gallery, University of Minnesota Morris, Morris, MN
ImageOHIO 17, juror: Drew Sawyer, Fort Hayes Shot Tower Gallery, Columbus, OH (catalog)
Roanoke College 2017 Biennial, jurors: Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo & Beth Rudin DeWoody, Olin Hall Gallery, Roanoke College, Salem, VA
2016
Land:Mine, curators: Lori Chilefone & Jyl Kelley, Heyde Center for the Arts, Chippewa Falls, WI (catalog)
2015
On Fruited Plains: SPE Midwest Multi-Caucus Juried Exhibition, curators: David Martin, Marivi Ortiz, & James Kueffner, Hite Art Institute, Louisville, KY (catalog)
Abreaction 3, curator: Caroline Partamian, Flux Factory, Long Island City, NY
2014
Art Faculty Show, Foster Gallery, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI
Metropolis Familiaris, Prairie Center for the Arts, Peoria, IL
2014
Mas 5 @ Albuquerque, Creative Abq, Albuquerque, NM
TRIO, New Mexico State University Art Museum, Las Cruces, NM
Ready-Made: 100 Years Later, Espace Projet, Montreal, QC (catalog)
2013
FIGMENT Sculpture Garden, Governor’s Island, NY
Facts & Fictions, curators: Ani Katz & Sara Winston, Invisible Dog Art Center, NY
In/Visible Borders, curator: Mary Anne Redding, Marion Center for Photographic Arts, Santa Fe University of Art & Design, Santa Fe, NM, and The Santa Fe Arts Commission Community Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2012
Global Village, Traveling exhibition: Projekt 072, Alkmaar, NL, Chateau de Sully, Burgundy, FR, & Kulturehuset Bronden, Copenhagen, DK
Un-Privileged Views, WUHO Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
New Mexico Showcase, curator: Peter Frank, 516 Arts Gallery, Albuquerque, NM (catalog)
Scan.It, curator: Gem Barton, Gallery 44, Brighton, England
Design LAB, Zane Bennett Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM
PreOccupation, curators: Sarah Berkeley & Brent Fogt, Fine Arts Bldg, Chicago, IL
N2NM: Exchange, curators: Julia Friedman & Isolde Kille, Farmers Market Pavilion, Santa Fe, NM
2011
Art in Odd Places: Ritual, curators: Kalia Brooks and Trinidad Fombella, 14th St., New York, NY (catalog)
Once Upon a Coffee Table, The Shoe Factory Art Co-op, Rochester, NY
2010
(UofM)2, Traveling exhibition: Warren Robbins gallery, Ann Arbor, MI, & Quarter gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2009
Time, Work Gallery, Detroit, MI
Activesite: Emerge, curator: Paul Amenta, Flat Iron Building, Grand Rapids, MI
Crane vs. Wolverine, Hangar Art Space, Cranbrook University, MI
In Order of Appearance, Warren Robbins Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
2008
Hung, Hangar Art Space, Cranbrook University, MI
From Here to There, Slusser Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
2006
Silicon Sands, curator: Rex Bruce, Las Cruces Art Museum, Las Cruces, NM
2005
Wide Gamut: Alternative Process Photography, Donkey Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
ONLINE JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2020
Issue 134, juried online exhibition, Fraction Magazine, May 2020.
2018
Staring into Space, juried online exhibition, Mid-America College Art Association, March-June, 2018.
2017
Alternative Reality, juried online exhibition, Float Photo Magazine, June, 2017.
Issue 98, juried online exhibition, Fraction Magazine, May 2017.
PHOTOGRAPHS IN PRINT/ONLINE PUBLICATIONS
2025
A Trace, Spring, Swell, Mood Ring series, Burnaway. (online)
2024
Miettinen, D., “Why are there so many adult retailers off of highways?,” Marketplace. (online)
2023
9th Annual International Combined Caucus Exhibition, Society for Photographic Education, exhibition catalog.
Fresh 2022 catalog, KLOMPCHING Gallery, exhibition catalog.
2022
Unbound 11, Candela Gallery, exhibition catalog.
This Skin I’m In, Revolve Gallery, exhibition catalog.
Growing Up Queer in the South, Greenville Museum of Art, exhibition catalog.
Positive / Negative 37th National Juried Art Exhibition, Slocumb Galleries, exhibition catalog.
2021
Candela Gallery, July 2021. Unbound 10. (Exhibition catalog. Photograph reproduced.)
Abendroth, E., May 2021. Sousveillance Pageant, Radiator Press, Philadelphia, PA. (Book. Photographs reproduced and discussed.)
2020
SPE, March 2020. 8th Annual International Combined Caucus Exhibition. (Exhibition catalog. Photograph reproduced.)
2019
McFarland, D. (ed.), October 2019. Bible Belt Queers. (Book. Photographs reproduced.)
Powers, J.R., July 2019. 50 Pride, Soft Lightning Studio. (Magazine. Photographs reproduced.)
SPE, March 2019. 7th Annual International Combined Caucus Exhibition. (Exhibition catalog. Photographs reproduced.)
2018
Indie Grits Lab, July 2018. The Southern Disposition. (Exhibition catalog. Photographs reproduced.)
SPE, March 2018. 6th Annual International Combined Caucus Exhibition. (Exhibition catalog. Photographs reproduced.)
2017
The SE Center for Photography, September 2017. Landscape, Grand and Personal. (Exhibition catalog. Photographs reproduced.)
ROY G BIV Gallery, January 2017. ImageOHIO 17. (Exhibition catalog. Photographs reproduced.)
2016
Chilefone, L., and Kelley, J. (eds.), August 2016. Land:Mine. (Exhibition catalog. Photographs reproduced.)
2015
Stiegele, J., and Tobier, N. (eds.), 2015. Utopia Toolbox.1 (English Translation), University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, MI. (Book. Photographs and text reproduced.)
RESIDENCIES & AWARDS
Residencies:
2020
Recodings and Renewals, Knight Foundation Center for Art + Research, ICA Miami, Miami, FL. (Online.)
Toolmaker Residency, Signal Culture, Owego, NY.
2013
Artist Residency, School of Making Thinking, Delhi, NY.
Production Funding, FIGMENT Sculpture Garden, New York, NY.
2012
Artist Residency, Millay Colony, Austerlitz, NY.
Artist Residency, Est Nord Est, St. Jean Port Joli, Canada.
2011
Artist Residency, Elsewhere, Greensboro, NC.
Awards:
2023
3rd Prize, Re:Touch – Expanded Surfaces in Smartphone Photography, Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany
2022
VMFA Professional Fellowship, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA
2020
Outstanding Remote Teaching Award, Technology-Enhanced Learning & Online Strategies (TLOS), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
2018
Honorable Mention, 7th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Charles W. and Norma C. Carroll Gallery, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
Diversity Recognition Award, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
GRANTS
2024
Faculty Initiated Research Grant, College of Architecture, Arts & Design, Virginia Tech
2019
Research and Development Grant: Azurest, Graham Foundation, Chicago, IL.
2017
SEAD (Science, Engineering, Art, and Design) Major Initiative Program: Aesthetics of Contemporary Science Research, Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
2016
Faculty Mentorship Grant, Office of the Provost, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
2015
Small Research Grant, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI.
2011
Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
2010
Smucker Wagstaff Creative Research Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Rackham Conference Travel Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
2009
International Travel Grant (Turkey), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
2024
Panelist: New Research in Pedagogical Practice, SECAC Conference, Atlanta, GA
Imagemaker Talk: The Wooden Beaver Archive: AI & Queer Histories, Society for Photographic Education (SPE) National Conference, St. Louis, MO
2023
Panelist: Machine Vision, Candela Gallery, Richmond, VA
Panelist: AI: Possibilities & Pitfalls, SECAC Conference, Richmond, VA
2022
Presenter: Digital Bodies, Chemical Baths, New Media Caucus Symposium, Blacksburg, VA2020
Panelist: Machine Vision, SPE Annual Conference, Houston, TX.
2019
Panelist: New Approaches to the History and Practice of Photography, SECAC 2019, Chattanooga, TN.
Panelist: New Visions, Border Control, New Media Caucus Symposium, Ann Arbor, MI.
2018
Imagemaker presentation: Azurest, Society for Photographic Education Southeast Chapter Retreat, Penland School of Craft, NC.
Panelist: Artistic Autobiography: Artists' Homes and Studios as Gesamtkunstwerke, SECAC 2018, Birmingham, AL.
2017
Poster presentation: Photographing Small Town Values, Imagining America National Conference, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA.
Panelist: Mobilities, Geographies, and Imaginaries: Human Dimensions of the Built Environment, Advancing the Human Condition Symposium, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
2016
Panelist: Intersections: Interdisciplinary Conversations about Social Justice and the Environment, Art & Architecture Library, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
2015
Panelist: On Fruited Plains, Society of Photographic Education Midwest Regional Conference, Louisville, KY
2012
Artist talk, International Symposium of Electronic Arts (ISEA), Albuquerque, NM
2011
Artist talk, Sculpture X Symposia #2, Cleveland Institute of Art, OH
Moderator, Graduate School Debt: What do you get for your money?, Sculpture X Symposia #2, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
2010
Panelist: The Role of the Art Institution in Community Engagement, Open Engagement conference, Portland, OR
INVITED LECTURES & ARTIST TALKS
2022
Box 13 Artspace, Houston, TX
2020
School of Art & Design, Marshall University, Huntington, WV. Online.
2018
The Institute of Creativity, Arts, & Technology, Playdate: The Aesthetics of Contemporary Science Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
Department of Art & Art History, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. Online.
2017
Gallery 201, Lynchburg Diversity Center, Lynchburg, VA.
Moss Art Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
2016
History Department, Roanoke College, Salem, VA.
Peck School of the Arts, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI.
Ploch Gallery, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield, WI.
2014
Department of Art & Art History, University of Nebraska, Wesleyan, Lincoln, NE
Featured faculty lecture, Department of Art + Design, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI
2013
Santa Fe University of Art & Design, Santa Fe, NM
PRESS
2021
Nissley, I., “OU’s 2021 Alternatives exhibition integrates text and image, reflects COVID-inspired creativity.” The Post – Athens. January 24. Online. (Review of Existence: Image + Text exhibition.)
2020
Kai, A., “Women in Architecture: Amaza Lee Meredith.” Shaina Motte website. July 18. Online. (Photographs reproduced in blog post about the architect Amaza Lee Meredith.)
2019
Jenkins, M., “In the galleries: An ambitious collage of works by regional photographers.” The Washington Post. December 13. Online. (Review of Captured Light exhibition.)
McCrary, J., “BlackRock Center for the Arts Hosts First Juried Photography Exhibition.” CultureSpot MC. December 11. Online. (Review of Captured Light exhibition. Photograph reproduced.)
Hong, S., “Graham Foundation announces 2019 architectural research grant winners.” The Architect’s Newspaper. May 3. Online. (Announcement of Graham Research grant award.)
Testado, J., “Graham Foundation awards 63 individual grants for 2019.” Archinect. May 2. Online. (Announcement of Graham Research grant award.)
Knudson, R., “Glasstire Top 5: March 7, 2019.” Glasstire. March 7. Online. (Review of Home Reports solo exhibition.)
Reddy, A., “College of Visual and Performing Arts announces February events.” The Daily Toreador. February 1. Online. (Announcement of Home Reports solo exhibition.)
2018
Smithson, A., “Lies at The Colorado Photographic Art Center.” Lenscratch. September 1. Online. (Review of Lies exhibition. Photograph reproduced.)
Hegert, N., “What is the SRO gallery? (And Why We Like It.)” Glasstire. August 28. Online. (Review of 2018–19 exhibitions at SRO Gallery, including Home Reports solo exhibition. Photograph reproduced.)
Lavender, D., “Extra! Extra! Read ‘art’ about it.” The Herald-Dispatch. January 25. Online. (Review of 7th Annual National Juried Exhibition at Marshall University.)
Crittenden, M., “Murphy showcased at 7th Annual National Juried Exhibition.” The Parthenon. January 18. Online. (Review of 7th Annual National Juried Exhibition at Marshall University.)
2017
Tonguette, P., “Out-of-state photographers’ work stands out in ImageOHIO.” The Columbus Dispatch. February 5. Online. (Review of ImageOHIO 17 exhibition.)
SERVICE TO THE FIELD
2020-26
2nd Vice President, Board of Directors, SECAC.
2020-pres.
Secretary, LGBTQ Caucus, Society for Photographic Education.
2018-pres.
Southeast Chapter Representative, LGBTQ Caucus, Society for Photographic Education.
2020
Director for Virginia, Board of Directors, SECAC.
2018-2025
Reader, The College Board Advanced Placement Reading (Art and Design), Educational Testing Service (ETS), Salt Lake City, UT. * 2020 scoring online due to COVID-19.
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2016-pres.
Associate Professor, School of Visual Arts, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
2023-24
Interim Associate Dean for Research, College of Architecture, Arts, & Design, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
2014-16
Visiting Lecturer, Department of Art + Design, University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI.
2013-14
Instructor, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.
2011-13
Instructor, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.